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UN Security Council Resolution 687
April 3, 1991

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Introduction

In August of 1990, Iraq invaded and occupied neighboring oil rich Kuwait, and refused to evacuate despite numerous UN resolutions beginning with Resolution 660, and US threats to use force. Beginning in February 1991, the US and its allies conducted operation Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait. In addition to reversal of the Iraqi aggression, the coalition was intent on eliminating stockpiles of chemical weapons known to be in the possession of Iraq and to disarm the country.

The Security Council passed Resolution 687 as part of the cease-fire arrangements ending operation Desert Storm. The resolution , among other things, required Iraq to rid itself permanently and unconditionally of all nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons capabilities and allow inspectors full access to verify and monitor compliance. The resolution established a monitoring and inspection mechanism UNSCOM (United Nations Special Commission) to ensure Iraqi compliance. Resolution 687 also linked a decision to lift sanctions with Iraq's fulfillment of the disarmament provisions. The resolution was passed under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, meaning that military force could be used to enforce compliance.

Baghdad was obligated to make full declarations about its weapons programs and accept monitoring and verification activity as determined necessary by UNSCOM and the IAEA. The UN inspectors were supposed to verify the Iraqi declarations and report their evaluations to the Security Council, which would then make decisions on sanctions. The inspections were not intended originally as a mechanism for discovering concealed weapons.

In practice, the Iraqi government did not disclose notable weapons stockpiles and programs, including biological weapons discovered by inspectors in 1995. Despite numerous UN resolutions, inspectors were not allowed access to various "presidential" sites and in 1998, the inspections ceased entirely and the inspectors went home. Iraq did not comply with other key aspects of 687 and other UN resolutions including return of Kuwaiti prisoners and property.

UN SC Resolution 1284 of December 17, 1999 established UNMOVIC to replace UNSCOM.

Additional Security Council Resolutions concerning the further history of the UNSCOM commission established for inspections under this resolution are available online at the UN Web site.

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S/RES/687 (1991)

 8 April 1991

RESOLUTION 687 (1991)

Adopted by the Security Council at its 2981st meeting,

on 3 April 1991

 

       The Security Council,

       Recalling its resolutions 660 (1990) of 2 August 1990, 661 (1990) of 6   August 1990, 662 (1990) of 9 August 1990, 664 (1990) of 18 August 1990, 665   (1990) of 25 August 1990, 666 (1990) of 13 September 1990, 667 (1990) of 16   September 1990, 669 (1990) of 24 September 1990, 670 (1990) of 25 September   1990, 674 (1990) of 29 October 1990, 677 (1990) of 28 November 1990, 678 (1990)   of 29 November 1990 and 686 (1991) of 2 March 1991,

       Welcoming the restoration to Kuwait of its sovereignty, independence and  territorial integrity and the return of its legitimate Government,

       Affirming the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty,   territorial integrity and political independence of Kuwait and Iraq, and noting   the intention expressed by the Member States cooperating with Kuwait under   paragraph 2 of resolution 678 (1990) to bring their military presence in Iraq   to an end as soon as possible consistent with paragraph 8 of resolution 686   (1991),

       Reaffirming the need to be assured of Iraq's peaceful intentions in the   light of its unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait,

       Taking note of the letter sent by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq   on 27 February 1991 and those sent pursuant to resolution 686 (1991),

       Noting that Iraq and Kuwait, as independent sovereign States, signed at   Baghdad on 4 October 1963 "Agreed Minutes Between the State of Kuwait and the   Republic of Iraq Regarding the Restoration of Friendly Relations, Recognition   and Related Matters", thereby recognizing formally the boundary between Iraq   and Kuwait and the allocation of islands, which were registered with the United   Nations in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations and   in which Iraq recognized the independence and complete sovereignty of the State   of Kuwait within its borders as specified and accepted in the letter of the   Prime Minister of Iraq dated 21 July 1932, and as accepted by the Ruler of   Kuwait in his letter dated 10 August 1932,

       Conscious of the need for demarcation of the said boundary,

       Conscious also of the statements by Iraq threatening to use weapons in   violation of its obligations under the Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of   the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of   Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on 17 June 1925, and of   its prior use of chemical weapons and affirming that grave consequences would   follow any further use by Iraq of such weapons,

       Recalling that Iraq has subscribed to the Declaration adopted by all   States participating in the Conference of States Parties to the 1925 Geneva   Protocol and Other Interested States, held in Paris from 7 to 11 January 1989,   establishing the objective of universal elimination of chemical and biological   weapons,

       Recalling also that Iraq has signed the Convention on the Prohibition of   the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and   Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, of 10 April 1972,

       Noting the importance of Iraq ratifying this Convention,

       Noting moreover the importance of all States adhering to this Convention   and encouraging its forthcoming Review Conference to reinforce the authority,   efficiency and universal scope of the convention,

       Stressing the importance of an early conclusion by the Conference on   Disarmament of its work on a Convention on the Universal Prohibition of   Chemical Weapons and of universal adherence thereto,

       Aware of the use by Iraq of ballistic missiles in unprovoked attacks and   therefore of the need to take specific measures in regard to such missiles   located in Iraq,

       Concerned by the reports in the hands of Member States that Iraq has   attempted to acquire materials for a nuclear-weapons programme contrary to its   obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of 1   July 1968,

       Recalling the objective of the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free   zone in the region of the Middle East,

       Conscious of the threat that all weapons of mass destruction pose to peace   and security in the area and of the need to work towards the establishment in   the Middle East of a zone free of such weapons,

       Conscious also of the objective of achieving balanced and comprehensive   control of armaments in the region,

       Conscious further of the importance of achieving the objectives noted   above using all available means, including a dialogue among the States of the   region,

       Noting that resolution 686 (1991) marked the lifting of the measures   imposed by resolution 661 (1990) in so far as they applied to Kuwait,

       Noting that despite the progress being made in fulfilling the obligations   of resolution 686 (1991), many Kuwaiti and third country nationals are still   not accounted for and property remains unreturned,

       Recalling the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages,   opened for signature at New York on 18 December 1979, which categorizes all   acts of taking hostages as manifestations of international terrorism,

       Deploring threats made by Iraq during the recent conflict to make use of   terrorism against targets outside Iraq and the taking of hostages by Iraq,

       Taking note with grave concern of the reports of the Secretary-General of   20 March 1991 and 28 March 1991, and conscious of the necessity to meet   urgently the humanitarian needs in Kuwait and Iraq,

       Bearing in mind its objective of restoring international peace and   security in the area as set out in recent resolutions of the Security Council,

       Conscious of the need to take the following measures acting under Chapter   VII of the Charter,

       1.   Affirms all thirteen resolutions noted above, except as expressly   changed below to achieve the goals of this resolution, including a formal   cease-fire;

A

       2.   Demands that Iraq and Kuwait respect the inviolability of the   international boundary and the allocation of islands set out in the "Agreed   Minutes Between the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq Regarding the   Restoration of Friendly Relations, Recognition and Related Matters", signed by   them in the exercise of their sovereignty at Baghdad on 4 October 1963 and   registered with the United Nations and published by the United Nations in   document 7063, United Nations, Treaty Series, 1964;

       3.   Calls upon the Secretary-General to lend his assistance to make   arrangements with Iraq and Kuwait to demarcate the boundary between Iraq and   Kuwait, drawing on appropriate material, including the map transmitted by   Security Council document S/22412 and to report back to the Security Council   within one month;

       4.   Decides to guarantee the inviolability of the above-mentioned   international boundary and to take as appropriate all necessary measures to   that end in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations;

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       5.   Requests the Secretary-General, after consulting with Iraq and   Kuwait, to submit within three days to the Security Council for its approval a   plan for the immediate deployment of a United Nations observer unit to monitor   the Khor Abdullah and a demilitarized zone, which is hereby established,   extending ten kilometres into Iraq and five kilometres into Kuwait from the   boundary referred to in the "Agreed Minutes Between the State of Kuwait and the   Republic of Iraq Regarding the Restoration of Friendly Relations, Recognition   and Related Matters" of 4 October 1963; to deter violations of the boundary   through its presence in and surveillance of the demilitarized zone; to observe   any hostile or potentially hostile action mounted from the territory of one   State to the other; and for the Secretary-General to report regularly to the   Security Council on the operations of the unit, and immediately if there are   serious violations of the zone or potential threats to peace;

       6.   Notes that as soon as the Secretary-General notifies the Security   Council of the completion of the deployment of the United Nations observer   unit, the conditions will be established for the Member States cooperating with   Kuwait in accordance with resolution 678 (1990) to bring their military   presence in Iraq to an end consistent with resolution 686 (1991);

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       7.   Invites Iraq to reaffirm unconditionally its obligations under the   Geneva Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating,   Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at   Geneva on 17 June 1925, and to ratify the Convention on the Prohibition of the   Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and   Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, of 10 April 1972;

       8.   Decides that Iraq shall unconditionally accept the destruction,   removal, or rendering harmless, under international supervision, of:

       (a)  All chemical and biological weapons and all stocks of agents and all   related subsystems and components and all research, development, support and   manufacturing facilities;

       (b)  All ballistic missiles with a range greater than 150 kilometres and   related major parts, and repair and production facilities;

       9.   Decides, for the implementation of paragraph 8 above, the following:

       (a)  Iraq shall submit to the Secretary-General, within fifteen days of   the adoption of the present resolution, a declaration of the locations, amounts   and types of all items specified in paragraph 8 and agree to urgent, on-site   inspection as specified below;

       (b)  The Secretary-General, in consultation with the appropriate   Governments and, where appropriate, with the Director-General of the World   Health Organization, within forty-five days of the passage of the present   resolution, shall develop, and submit to the Council for approval, a plan   calling for the completion of the following acts within forty-five days of such   approval:

(i)  The forming of a Special Commission, which shall carry out immediate  on-site inspection of Iraq's biological, chemical and missile capabilities, based on Iraq's declarations and the designation of any  additional locations by the Special Commission itself;

(ii)  The yielding by Iraq of possession to the Special Commission for destruction, removal or rendering harmless, taking into account the  requirements of public safety, of all items specified under paragraph  8 (a) above, including items at the additional locations designated  by the Special Commission under paragraph 9 (b) (i) above and the destruction by Iraq, under the supervision of the Special Commission, of all its missile capabilities, including launchers, as specified under paragraph 8 (b) above;

 (iii)  The provision by the Special Commission of the assistance and  cooperation to the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency required in paragraphs 12 and 13 below;

       10.  Decides that Iraq shall unconditionally undertake not to use,   develop, construct or acquire any of the items specified in paragraphs 8 and 9   above and requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Special   Commission, to develop a plan for the future ongoing monitoring and   verification of Iraq's compliance with this paragraph, to be submitted to the   Security Council for approval within one hundred and twenty days of the passage   of this resolution;

       11.  Invites Iraq to reaffirm unconditionally its obligations under the   Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of 1 July 1968;

       12.  Decides that Iraq shall unconditionally agree not to acquire or   develop nuclear weapons or nuclear-weapons-usable material or any subsystems or   components or any research, development, support or manufacturing facilities   related to the above; to submit to the Secretary-General and the   Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency within fifteen days   of the adoption of the present resolution a declaration of the locations,   amounts, and types of all items specified above; to place all of its   nuclear-weapons-usable materials under the exclusive control, for custody and   removal, of the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the assistance and   cooperation of the Special Commission as provided for in the plan of the   Secretary-General discussed in paragraph 9 (b) above; to accept, in accordance   with the arrangements provided for in paragraph 13 below, urgent on-site   inspection and the destruction, removal or rendering harmless as appropriate of   all items specified above; and to accept the plan discussed in paragraph 13   below for the future ongoing monitoring and verification of its compliance with   these undertakings;

       13.  Requests the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy   Agency, through the Secretary-General, with the assistance and cooperation of   the Special Commission as provided for in the plan of the Secretary-General in   paragraph 9 (b) above, to carry out immediate on-site inspection of Iraq's   nuclear capabilities based on Iraq's declarations and the designation of any   additional locations by the Special Commission; to develop a plan for   submission to the Security Council within forty-five days calling for the   destruction, removal, or rendering harmless as appropriate of all items listed   in paragraph 12 above; to carry out the plan within forty-five days following   approval by the Security Council; and to develop a plan, taking into account   the rights and obligations of Iraq under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of   Nuclear Weapons of 1 July 1968, for the future ongoing monitoring and   verification of Iraq's compliance with paragraph 12 above, including an   inventory of all nuclear material in Iraq subject to the Agency's verification   and inspections to confirm that Agency safeguards cover all relevant nuclear   activities in Iraq, to be submitted to the Security Council for approval within   one hundred and twenty days of the passage of the present resolution;

       14.  Takes note that the actions to be taken by Iraq in paragraphs 8, 9,   10, 11, 12 and 13 of the present resolution represent steps towards the goal of   establishing in the Middle East a zone free from weapons of mass destruction   and all missiles for their delivery and the objective of a global ban on   chemical weapons;

D

15.  Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council on   the steps taken to facilitate the return of all Kuwaiti property seized by   Iraq, including a list of any property that Kuwait claims has not been returned   or which has not been returned intact;

E

       16.  Reaffirms that Iraq, without prejudice to the debts and obligations   of Iraq arising prior to 2 August 1990, which will be addressed through the   normal mechanisms, is liable under international law for any direct loss,   damage, including environmental damage and the depletion of natural resources,   or injury to foreign Governments, nationals and corporations, as a result of   Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait;

       17.  Decides that all Iraqi statements made since 2 August 1990   repudiating its foreign debt are null and void, and demands that Iraq adhere   scrupulously to all of its obligations concerning servicing and repayment of   its foreign debt;

       18.  Decides also to create a fund to pay compensation for claims that   fall within paragraph 16 above and to establish a Commission that will   administer the fund;

       19.  Directs the Secretary-General to develop and present to the Security   Council for decision, no later than thirty days following the adoption of the   present resolution, recommendations for the fund to meet the requirement for   the payment of claims established in accordance with paragraph 18 above and for   a programme to implement the decisions in paragraphs 16, 17 and 18 above,   including:  administration of the fund; mechanisms for determining the   appropriate level of Iraq's contribution to the fund based on a percentage of   the value of the exports of petroleum and petroleum products from Iraq not to   exceed a figure to be suggested to the Council by the Secretary-General, taking   into account the requirements of the people of Iraq, Iraq's payment capacity as   assessed in conjunction with the international financial institutions taking   into consideration external debt service, and the needs of the Iraqi economy;   arrangements for ensuring that payments are made to the fund; the process by   which funds will be allocated and claims paid; appropriate procedures for   evaluating losses, listing claims and verifying their validity and resolving   disputed claims in respect of Iraq's liability as specified in paragraph 16   above; and the composition of the Commission designated above;

F

       20.  Decides, effective immediately, that the prohibitions against the  sale or supply to Iraq of commodities or products, other than medicine and   health supplies, and prohibitions against financial transactions related   thereto contained in resolution 661 (1990) shall not apply to foodstuffs   notified to the Security Council Committee established by resolution 661 (1990)   concerning the situation between Iraq and Kuwait or, with the approval of that   Committee, under the simplified and accelerated "no-objection" procedure, to   materials and supplies for essential civilian needs as identified in the report   of the Secretary-General dated 20 March 1991, and in any further findings of   humanitarian need by the Committee;

       21.  Decides that the Security Council shall review the provisions of   paragraph 20 above every sixty days in the light of the policies and practices   of the Government of Iraq, including the implementation of all relevant   resolutions of the Security Council, for the purpose of determining whether to   reduce or lift the prohibitions referred to therein;

       22.  Decides that upon the approval by the Security Council of the   programme called for in paragraph 19 above and upon Council agreement that Iraq   has completed all actions contemplated in paragraphs 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13   above, the prohibitions against the import of commodities and products   originating in Iraq and the prohibitions against financial transactions related   thereto contained in resolution 661 (1990) shall have no further force or   effect;

       23.  Decides that, pending action by the Security Council under paragraph   22 above, the Security Council Committee established by resolution 661 (1990)   shall be empowered to approve, when required to assure adequate financial   resources on the part of Iraq to carry out the activities under paragraph 20   above, exceptions to the prohibition against the import of commodities and   products originating in Iraq;

       24.  Decides that, in accordance with resolution 661 (1990) and subsequent   related resolutions and until a further decision is taken by the Security   Council, all States shall continue to prevent the sale or supply, or the   promotion or facilitation of such sale or supply, to Iraq by their nationals,   or from their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of:

(a)  Arms and related materiel of all types, specifically including the   sale or transfer through other means of all forms of conventional military   equipment, including for paramilitary forces, and spare parts and components   and their means of production, for such equipment;

 (b)  Items specified and defined in paragraphs 8 and 12 above not   otherwise covered above;

 (c)  Technology under licensing or other transfer arrangements used in the   production, utilization or stockpiling of items specified in subparagraphs (a)   and (b) above;

(d)  Personnel or materials for training or technical support services   relating to the design, development, manufacture, use, maintenance or support   of items specified in subparagraphs (a) and (b) above;

       25.  Calls upon all States and international organizations to act strictly   in accordance with paragraph 24 above, notwithstanding the existence of any   contracts, agreements, licences or any other arrangements;

       26.  Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with appropriate   Governments, to develop within sixty days, for the approval of the Security   Council, guidelines to facilitate full international implementation of   paragraphs 24 and 25 above and paragraph 27 below, and to make them available   to all States and to establish a procedure for updating these guidelines   periodically;

       27.  Calls upon all States to maintain such national controls and   procedures and to take such other actions consistent with the guidelines to be   established by the Security Council under paragraph 26 above as may be   necessary to ensure compliance with the terms of paragraph 24 above, and calls   upon international organizations to take all appropriate steps to assist in   ensuring such full compliance;

       28.  Agrees to review its decisions in paragraphs 22, 23, 24 and 25 above,   except for the items specified and defined in paragraphs 8 and 12 above, on a   regular basis and in any case one hundred and twenty days following passage of   the present resolution, taking into account Iraq's compliance with the   resolution and general progress towards the control of armaments in the region;

       29.  Decides that all States, including Iraq, shall take the necessary   measures to ensure that no claim shall lie at the instance of the Government of   Iraq, or of any person or body in Iraq, or of any person claiming through or   for the benefit of any such person or body, in connection with any contract or   other transaction where its performance was affected by reason of the measures   taken by the Security Council in resolution 661 (1990) and related resolutions;

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       30.  Decides that, in furtherance of its commitment to facilitate the   repatriation of all Kuwaiti and third country nationals, Iraq shall extend all   necessary cooperation to the International Committee of the Red Cross,   providing lists of such persons, facilitating the access of the International   Committee of the Red Cross to all such persons wherever located or detained and   facilitating the search by the International Committee of the Red Cross for   those Kuwaiti and third country nationals still unaccounted for;

       31.  Invites the International Committee of the Red Cross to keep the   Secretary-General apprised as appropriate of all activities undertaken in   connection with facilitating the repatriation or return of all Kuwaiti and   third country nationals or their remains present in Iraq on or after 2 August   1990;  

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       32.  Requires Iraq to inform the Security Council that it will not commit   or support any act of international terrorism or allow any organization   directed towards commission of such acts to operate within its territory and to   condemn unequivocally and renounce all acts, methods and practices of   terrorism;

I

       33.  Declares that, upon official notification by Iraq to the   Secretary-General and to the Security Council of its acceptance of the   provisions above, a formal cease-fire is effective between Iraq and Kuwait and   the Member States cooperating with Kuwait in accordance with resolution 678   (1990);

       34.  Decides to remain seized of the matter and to take such further steps   as may be required for the implementation of the present resolution and to   secure peace and security in the area.

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